CONCORD, N.C. -- Alex Bowman ended 2020 on a high note in more than one way.
The 27-year-old driver earned his second career win early in the season after he dominated the field at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on March 1. Less than three weeks later, NASCAR and all of racing was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When Bowman returned to the track in May with the rest of the Cup Series field, he already knew he had a spot in the playoffs due to his Fontana win. His biggest goal was to make it to the Round of 8 for the first time, which he did.
Take a look at Bowman's impressive accolades and stats during a career-best year.
- Bowman earned one win, six top-five finishes, 15 top-10s and led 440 laps in 2020. The top-10 results and laps led are personal bests for the Tucson, Arizona, native. He also had his highest points-paying season in his Cup Series career (sixth).
- The playoffs were where Bowman shined the brightest, recording a personal-best postseason. He earned nine top-10 results in the final 12 races, including four of the final five events of the year. Bowman's best playoff result came at Kansas Speedway (third).
- Bowman's goal to make it to the Round of 8 became a reality, and the driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE flourished in those three races. He finished third at Kansas, fifth at Texas Motor Speedway and sixth at Martinsville.
- 2020 was the final year of the No. 88 Chevrolet, which Bowman had piloted full time since 2018. In his career in the No. 88, Bowman earned two wins, 117 starts, 16 top-five finishes, 41 top-10s, two pole awards and has led 911 laps for Hendrick Motorsports. He will take over the No. 48 Chevrolet in 2021 after seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time driving.
- After the final race of the season at Phoenix Raceway, Bowman earned 362 total playoff points, which was third overall in the Cup Series. Teammate Chase Elliott was first with 404 playoff points after he clinched the championship.
- Playoff points weren't the only part of the postseason where Bowman was dominant. He was tied for second in his average finishes (8.8), led all drivers with the most top-10 finishes in the playoffs (nine) and led laps in five playoff races.
- Bowman won his first stage in 2020, then went on to earn three more for a total of four stage wins. Entering this year, Bowman had not crossed the finish line first in a stage.